Progress towards Healthy People 2030 population health goals

We aimed to quantify progress towards all 23 Healthy People 2030 leading health indicators (LHIs) national set targets. Understanding progress on these LHIs can guide policy reform that aims to improve US population health.

Cross-sectional analysis based on de-identified, population-level federal data representing the US population, stratified by race, age, gender, income, and education using cluster-based and stratified sampling methods.

Of 23 LHIs, 5 were categorized as little to no detectable change, 5 as worsening, 6 as improving, 5 as target met or exceeded, and 2 with no updated current value. Notable improvements included treatment of adolescent depression, reducing binge drinking, and hypertension control, while worsening areas included drug-overdose deaths, homicides, and food insecurity. Inequalities have persisted or widened for most indicators.

The United States is lagging or worsening in 10 of 23 Healthy People 2030 LHIs. Understanding the implications of such findings is valuable for highlighting health care gaps, pinpointing areas for improvement, and underscoring the need for action.